OUR OPPONENT

VALENCIA BASKET (SPAIN)

Founded in 1986
Team colors: orange, purple, white
Honors: Eurocup (2003, 2010, 2014), Copa del Rey de Baloncesto (1998), Copa del Rey de Baloncesto finalist (2000, 2006, 2013), Liga ACB finalist (2003)
Arena: Pabellon Fuente De San Luis (capacity – 9000)
President: Vicente J. Solà Sanz
Official website: www.valenciabasket.com

First game. March 17, 2015. Valencia (Spain)

Valencia Basket — BC Khimki — 75-76 (20-17, 15-24, 17-24, 23-11)
Valencia: Van Rossom (15 + 4 assists), Harangody (12 + 4 rebounds), Ribas (9), Lucic (9)
BC Khimki: Rice (27 + 5 assists), Davis (12 + 4 rebounds), Koponen (12), Augustine (9)

PRE-GAME QUOTES

Rimas Kurtinaitis, BC Khimki head coach:

"Valencia plays with huge energy and we have to be in the same rhythm above all. In Spain, we played fast and didn’t stop so eventually succeeded. I suppose we have to play in the same style as we did a week ago. A one-point advantage means nothing and we’ll play only for a win, no doubt. The main point is our spirit, as we have to play with the same concentration like in Spain. Now we perform at home where we usually give good energy. We have to play like a team to beat the opponent and go further. I saw their game against Barcelona in ACB League and may say we still have some things to improve".

James Augustine, BC Khimki forward:

"It will be a tough game like in Valencia a week ago as we have to win to improve to the next round. They have a good team as they beat Barcelona by 20 points and we have to play the best game. Everybody is dangerous in the team, especially the guards: if you let them go, you may have problems. They have a whole team as if we do. We should play team defense and contain everybody. After win vs. Barca they come here with confidence but we have it too and have to be focused on what we can do".